Switch mechanism



Juh'e 26, 1928. 1,674,663

L. R. RUTHENBURG SWITCH MECHANISM Original Filed Nov. 20- 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 EEIWL REAR N V EN TOR.

. I 50/: H. Rut/zenburg A TTORNEYS.

Juhe 26, 1928.

L. R. RUTHENBURG SWITCH MECHANI SM 4 Shets-Sheet v 2 Original Filed Nov. 20 22 I VEN TOR. 00/.5 f7? @cnbuzy ATTORNEYS.

June 26, 192 8..

" L. R. RUTHENBURG SWITCH MECHANI SM Original Filed Nov. 20- 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 1N VENTOR.

A TTORNEYS.

June 26, 1928.

1,674,663 L. R. RUTHENBURG SWITCH MECHANI SM Original Filed Nov. 20. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. L 11/ s f? Put/ran b ury A TTORNEYS.

Patented June 26, 1928.

LOUIS R. RUTHENBURG, OF HAS/J3 MOLINE, ILLINOIS.

SWITCH MECHANISM.

Original application filed November 20,1922, Serial No. 602,309.

November 19, 1923.

My invention relates to switch mechanism and-in particular to mechanism for controlling the operation of self propelled vehicles and is adivision of my application Serial No. 602,309, tiled November 20th, 1922.

It is an object of my invention to provide a switch which will be compact in form and positive in operation having a plurality of contacts mounted in a housing or box and controls located externally of such box carrying mechanism for making the desired connections with the contacts.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an insulating ring on which to mount a plurality of contacts, thereby'leaving the center of the box or housing free for other purposes.

My switch mechanism may be used for various purposes but the drawings illustrate a construction particularly adapted. for controlling the ignition, lights and horn of an automobile and which may be mounted centrally above the steering wheel. In this way the operator may manipulate the several con trols without divertinghis attention from the operation of the steering wheel.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the exterior'ot the steering wheel control box.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the complete assembly oi steering wheel and control box, with the steering wheel partially broken away, and the steering wheel support and associating tubular members in section, and parts of the control levers in section.

Figure 3 is a section on the line ab0 of Figure l, showing in detail the arrangement of the parts, conduits and the like, in the control box.

Figure 4; is a bottom plan view with the control levers removed and the cables eliminated in order to disclose the relative position of the several contacts. In order to disclose this mechanism, the bottom plate of the box has been removed.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the steering column and junction box, illustrating diagrammatically the method of mounting; the entire assembly of wires and manual controls on the chassis and steering column.

Figure dis a typical wiring diagram ot the horn circuit.

Divided and this application filed Serial No. 675,657.

Figure 7 is a typical wiring diagram of the lighting circuit.

teterring to the drawings in detail:

1 designates the steering column casing of tubular form. Vithin this casing is a tubular member 2 to which the spokes 3 oi the steering wheel 4 are attached. This tubular member 2 is connected to the steering mechanism at the bottom of the column which may be or any desired character. .llithin the tubular member 2 is a third tubular member 5 that is bent outwardly, as at (3, at the top and upwardly, as at 7, to form a support for the bottom 8 of the switch box. This switch box is composed of side walls 9 and a top 10 prefe ably of a single piece of material such as a die casting.

TVithin the tubular member 5 is another tubular structure 11 which is attached to the throttle lever 12, which controls the suppl of fuel for the engine. lVithin the tuel supply tube 11 is a fifth tube 13 which is attached to the spark control lever let. The means oi? attachment of the lever 12 and 1% may be of any desired character such as a split collar, having a clamping bolt 15. The innermost tubular member is designated 16 and hasits openupper end communicating with the switch box, and its lower end open for the exit of the cable and covering therefor, in a manner which will be hereimitter described. This cable covering is designated 17 and contains the horn, lighting and ignition cables which are generally desig nated respectively 18, 19 and 20.

The wiring tube 16 is held. in position with reference to the switch box and its bot tom 8 by'a clamp 21 and clamping screw 22. i

The arms 12 and 1 for the gas and spark control respectively carry spring pressed phmgers 23 pressed outwardly by the helical springs 2 lint-o yielding engagement with the bottom 8 of the switch box, thus positioning the levers as desired when released by the operator and maintained in that position until moved to a new position. The plungers and springs 2% are contained in a chamber 25 located in thebody of the res 'iective arms 12 and 14.

Turning to the switch box, it will be seen that the cable for the horn, which cable is designated 18, is connected at its upper end to a contactplate 26, which is located in the bottom or" the cup 27. This cup is located on the interior of the horn button 28. The horn button is of any desired insulating material such as bakelite and the'like. The horn button is maintained in its uppermost position by the helical spring 29 which engages with the bottom of the cup or with the plate 26 at one otits ends and at the other rests upon an insulating support 30 which consists of a bakelite plugpositioned by the set screw 31- in the projecting collar 32, which is mounted upon and seated in the top 10 of the switch box. The cable 18 passes through this insulating plug 30. The shoulder 33 on the interior of the projecting tubular member 39.

also serves to support and position the plug 30. i

It will be understood that this collar 32 also serves as hub and is an integral part" of the lighting control lever 34. This collar or hub has a shoulder 35 which determines the extent to which it projects into the switch box. The lower part of the hub projecting into the control box comprises a tubular member 36 bearing against a collar 87 carried by the top 10 of the switch box. A steel insert 38 is located within 36 and p0- sitioned therein by the shoulder 39 which forms a part of 36 and which engages the corresponding shoulder upon the insert 38.

This'steel insert being of stronger material than the die castparts serves as the support upon which the retaining nut 40 is threaded. It will be understood that the cable 18 passes through an aperture 41 in both the steel insert and the nut 40. The nut 40 is prevented from rotation by the retaining finger 42. 43 designates the cont-act supporting plate mounted on this steel insert, while 44 is the lock washer to which the finger 42 is attached and of which it is an integral part. This plate 43 is preferably made of a steel punching, which carries a lug 44 on one side. This lug 44 supports a cross arm 45 'which is pivotally attachedthereto by the rivet 46, or by any similar means.

This cross arm has means for supporting a con-' tact plate 47 and a contact plate 48. This contact plate 48 rides on the inner wall of a ring 49 which is suspended from the top wall of the switch box. This ring is of insulating material and carries upon it a plurahty ofcontacts. The contact plate 48 has nected to the head lights, and the contact plate 56 is connected to the tail light in cir cuitwith which the instrument lightis preterably included. The contact strip 52 is connected to the battery by means of a suitable wire 100 attachedthereto. The battery is grounded. and the remainder of the cable connections can be accordingly made, ac-

other cables are likewise connected, and pass I downwardly through the cable housing 17. Y

Connected to the plate 43 is a projecting portion 63 having a plurality of teeth 64011 the periphery thereof the plate being segmental in shape. A ball 65 rides over these teeth and is held in engagementtherewith by a helical spring 66 working in a socket or chamber 67 in the ring 49. This provides the necessary snap action to locate the parts in their respective positions.

Turning to the mechanism for controlling the ignition circuit (see Figures 3 and 4), it will be observed that there is a handle -68 provided for this control which has a shaft 69 which projects downwardly throughthe top 10 of the switch boX. Carried by 69 is an arm 70 which has on its outer end a contact plate 71. This contact plate is mounted upon the arm 70 by rivet-s 72. The contact plate 71 is insulated from 70 by the insulating plate 73. 71 is adapted to span the gap between the contact plate 74, which connects with the battery and the ignition contact plate 75 which has its cable connected to the clamp 76. This plate 75 is retained on the ring 49 by the bolts or rivets 77.

It will be observed that the plate 71 will connect the battery plate to the ignition plate, or disconnect it as the lever 68 is moved from one position to the other. The cable 20 is connected to 76. This cable 20 is one of the cables that is located in the housing 17 within the wiring tube 16.

It will be understood that the under side of the top 10 of the switch box is provided with an insulating plate 78. The in-.-

sulat-ing ring 49 may be suspended. from the switch boX in any desired fashion.

The top of the switch box is provided with a cap plate 79 anda name plate 80, which carries the various legends which are necessary in such an arrangement. This name plate may be made of any desired material. It

is retained in place by the ring 81, one flange f Nil] of which, such as 82, engages the switch box, and the other flange, such as 83, engages the legend plate. It will thus be seen that I have provided in one unit on the top of the steering wheel closely adjacent the opera tors hands and vision, all controls for the horn, ignition, lighting, spark, and fuel.

At the bottom of the steering column, is the flexible housing designated 17 through which the cables pass directly to a junction box ea, from which the various cables, such as 85, are conveyed to their respective parts of the engine. This junction box is preferably mounted upon an inner wall of the frame member of the chassis, such as 86. It will be observed that the body can be mounted upon the. chassis, or moved without disturbing the wiring in any particular. I thus eliminate the body wiring, which is a long and tedious process that materially slows up production.

While 1 have shown and described certain features as constituting my invention, it will be understood that parts have been shown for purposes of illustration only,'and that I do not desire to be limited to'such details, as obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A new article of manufacture consisting of a control box, a ring adjacent the walls of said control box, a'plurality of contac'ts, some located on said ring and others within said ring, and means-pivotally located on said control 'box, extending intothe interior thereof and joining the several contacts within the box to one anotheras desired.

2. A new art of manufacture consisting of a controlbox, a ring adjacent the walls of said control box, a plurality of contacts, some located on said ring and others within said ring, means pivot-ally located on said control box, extending into the interior thereof and joining some of said contacts within the box to one another as desired, a separate means controlled from the exterior of the box extending therein adapted to control other of said contacts within said box and cables connected to said contacts and adapted to be conveyed to a central point for their exit at the bottom of the box.

3. A new art of manufacture consisting of a control box, a ring adjacent the walls of said control box, a plurality of contacts, some located on said ring and others within said ring, means pivotally located on said control box, extending into the lnterior thereof and joining some of said contacts withinthe box to one another as desired, a separate means controlled from the exterior of the box extending therein adapted to control other of said contacts within said box means on the "exterior of the box consisting of a contact plate and an insulating portion, a cable connected to said contact plate extending into the box, and means to yieldingly prevent the engagement of the contact plate with the box.

4. In a new article of manufacture, a control box for controlling the electrical equip ment of a self-propelled vehicle, consisting of a box, an insulated ring mounted therein adjacent the walls thereof, a plurality of contacts carried. by said ring, a lever mounted on said box having a hub extending thereinto, contact members carried by said hub wvithin said ring for making and breaking contacts within said box, a second lever on the top of said box having a shaft extending into the interior thereof, a contact plate carried by :said second lever and adapted to make contact with some of the contacts on the insulating ring, and means to maintain in position said first mentioned lever as it is moved from point to point.

5. Ina new article of manufacture having a box. an insulating ring adjacent the walls of said box, a plurality of contacts on one surface of said ring connected to cables, a common contact "on the inner surface of said ring, externally controlled means extending into the interiorof said box carrying contact fingers adapted to bridge said contacts in pre-determined' arrangements.

"6. In anew article of manufacture having a box, an insulating ring adjacent the walls of said box, a plurality of contacts on one surface of said ring, a common contact on the inner surface of said ring, externally controlled means extending into the interior of said box carrying contact fingers adapted to bridge said contacts in pro-determined arrangements, one of said controlled means consisting of a lever and hollow hub, a horn button mounted above said hub and yieldingly maintained away from said hub, said button having a contact plate on the bottom thereof adapted to make contact with said hub, a cable passing'through said hub and connected to said contact plate.

7. In a new article of manufacture having a box, an insulating ring, a plurality of contacts on one surface of said ring, a common contact on another surface of said ring, externally controlled means extending into the interior of said box carrying a contact linger adapted to bridge said contacts in pre-determined arrangements, one of said controlled means consisting of a lever and hollow hub, a button mounted above said hub and yieldingly maintained away from said hub, said button havin a contact plate on the bottom thereof adapied to make contact 'ith said hub, a cable passing through said hub and connected to said contact plate, the other of said controlled means having a shaft carrying a contact plate within the control box adapted to make contacts in pre-determined arrangements, and means for conveying cables connected to said contacts through the bottom of thebox, as a unit. c

, 8. In a control box consisting of side walls,

a bottom and a top, an insulating ring mounted 1n said box adjacent the side Walls, a plu- 'rality oi contactsIcarried bysaid ring, a

tubular hub mounted on the top projecting above the top, a handle adapted to rotate said hub, a bushing suspended in the bottom of said hub, a contact lever connected therewith .within the box, a Contact finger mounted thereon adapted to engage successivelycon tacts carried on one face of said insulating ring, and another cont-act finger carried thereby adapted tornake contactWith a contact plate carried by the inner surface of said ring, whereby as the hub is rotated, successivecontacts Will be brought intobpe'ration.

9. In a'control box consisting of side Walls,

said ring, whereby as the hub isrotated, successive contacts will be brought intolope'ration; a cable conveyed through the center of said hub and bushing, insulating means to position said cable,vyielding means mounted thereon to support a contact plate above said hub, and a button mounted 011 said plate to enable the operator to bring the plate in'engagemcnt with the hub to make a circuit, irrespective of the position of the hub after it is rotated, v 1 10. In a control box consisting of side Walls, abottom and a top, an insulating ring mounted in said box adjacent-the side Walls, a tubular hub-mounted in the top and'projecting above the top, a handle adapted to rotate'said hub, a'bushing suspended in the bottomot' said hub, a contact lever connected therewith Within the box, a contact finger mounted thereon adapted to engage successively contacts carried on one face of said insulating ring, and another contact finger carried thereby adapted to make contact With a contact plate caried by the inner surface of said ring, whereby as the hub is rotated, successive contacts Will be brought into operation; a cable conveyed through the center of said hubland bushing, insulating means to position saidcable yielding means mounted thereon to support a contact plate above said hub, and a button mountedon said plate to enable the operator to bring the plate in engagement with the hub to make a circuit,

A newness.

shaft on the interior, a second series of contacts on the insulating ring,,one of Which is. connected to the battery plate, and means carried by the shaft formakinlg the connec tion between the battery plate and one of said contacts, and a cable connecting said-contact *ith the mechanism to be controlled.

11. In a control box consisting of side Walls, a bottom and a top, an insulating ring suspended in said box, a battery contact plate on the inner Wall of said ring extending over a portion of its circumference, other contacts on the'bott om of the ring, a cen trally, located, externally controlled arm adapted to move Within said ring, a projecting contact finger, carried by said arm for engaging. one of the contacts on the bottom of the ring and a partially, circular spring contact member carried by said arm adapted to engage with the battery plate on the inside of the ring.

12. In a control box consisting of side Walls, a bottom and a top, an insulating rin suspended in said box, a contact plate on the inner Wall of said'ring extending over a portion of its circumference, other contacts on the bottom of said ring, a centrally lo cated externally controlled arm adapted" to move within said ring, a projecting contact finger carried by said arm for engaging one of the contacts on the bottom of the ring, a partially circular spring contact member carriedby said arm adapted to engage the other contacts carriedby the bottom of said ring and said plate on the inner Wall of said ring, a rack carriedby said arm and spaced therefrom, and means carried by the ring for yieldingly engaging the teeth of said rack and locating said contact finger, contact member and contacts successively in engage meut with one another.

18. In a control box consisting of side walls, a bottom and a top, an insulating ring suspended in said box, a contact plate on the inner Wall ofsaid ring extending over a portion of its circumi rcnce, othercontacts on the bottom of said ring. a centrally located externally controlled plate adapted to move Within said ring, a projecting contact finger carried by Said plate for engaging one of the contactson the bottom" of said ring, a partially circular spring contact member carried bysaid arm adapted to engage With the other contact'members on the bottom of said ring and With said plateon the inside of the ring, arack carried by said arm and spaced therefrom, means carried by the ring for yieldingly engaging the teeth of said rack and lo cating said contact finger cont-act member and contacts in 1 engagement With one another and yielding reinforcing means for maintaining the ends of the spring contact emmas member 'in engagement with "the inner. surface of said ring.

rality oft spaced-contact members on other portions of said ring, a lever 'pivotally locatedwithin said ring having a cross arm, a partially circular spring cont-act member supported by the ends'of the cross arm, said member having its ends engaging the-inside of the ring, and a contact plate carried by one end of the cross armfor engaging one of the contact members on the ring.

15. In combination, in a control box, a ring therein of insulating material a contact plate on the inside of said ring, a plurality of spaced contact members on other portions of said ring, a lever pivotally located within said ring having a cross arm, a partially circular spring contact member supported by the ends of the cross arm, said member having its ends engaging the inside of the ring, and a contact platecarried by one end of the cross arm for engaging one of the con tact members on the ring, a rack plate carried by said lever and a spring pressed ball carried by said ring and cooperating with the teeth on said rack plate to maintain the contacts in engagement with one another.

16. In combination, in a control box, a ring therein of insulating material, a contact plate on the inside of said ring, a plurality of spaced contact members on other portions of said ring, a lever pivotally located within said ring having a cross arm, a partially circular spring contact member supported by the ends of the cross arm, said member having its ends engaging the inside of the ring, and a contact plate carried by one end of the cross arm for engaging one of the contact members on the ring, a second lever located within said ring having a contact member sufiiciently broad to engage specified contacts on said ring, one of which is connected to the contact-plate on the inside of the ring and the other to an outgoing cable.

17. In combination, a control box, an insulating ring mounted therein, suspended from the bottom of the top of the box, a c011- ing means passing through the ring engaglng a plate on the exterior thereof. which tact plate on the inside of the ring, a retain extends downwardly and laterally beneath.

said ring, a cable, a finger connected to said cable, and means to clamp said finger to said laterally extending means suspending from the ring.

18. A new article of manufacture consisting of a control box, a ring adjacent the walls of said control box, a plurality of contacts on said ring, and means pivotally located on said control box, extending into the interior thereof and joining the several contacts within=-t hebox'to one another'as 'desired, I

19. A new article of manufacture consisting of a control box, an insulated ring adjacent'the walls of said box, a plurality of contacts thereon, a flat contact spring suspended therein engaging with said ring, said spring being caused to take an arcuate form due to the pressure applied thereon in causing it to engage wit-h said ring.

20. Anew article of manufactureconsisting ota control box, an insulated'ring adjacentthe 'walls of said box, a plurality of contacts thereon, a flat contact spring sus pended therein engaging with said ring, said spring being caused to take an arcuate form due to the pressure applied thereon in causing it to engage with said ring, said contact member being pivotaly mounted to equalize the pressure thereof on said ring at either end.

21. A new article of manufacture consisting of a control box, an insulated ring adjacent the walls of said box, a plurality of contacts thereon, a flat contact spring suspended therein engaging with said ring, said spring being caused to take an arcuate form.

due to the pressure applied thereon in cansing it to engage with said ring, said contact member being pivotally mounted to equalize the pressure thereof on said ring at either end, and means to insulate said contact member from its pivotal mounting.

22. A new article of manufacture consisting of a control box, an insulated ring suspended therein having a plurality of electrical cont-acts thereon, a contact member supported within said ring to engage with the contacts thereon, a detent member associated therewith for positioning said contact member, said detent member being located within said control box.

23. A new article of manufacture consisting of a. control box, an insulating ring within said box, a plurality of contacts thereon, a rotating element within said ring and cooperating contact members carried on said rotated member within said ring adapted to engage with said contacts on said ring.

2-4:. A new article of manufacture consisting of a control box, a ring adjacent the walls of said control box, a plurality of contacts thereon within said ring, a sliding contact member for engaging with said contacts, means to tension said contact member and means to equalize the tension on said contact member.

25. A new article of manufacture consisting of a control box, a ring adjacent the walls of said control box, a plurality of contacts thereon within said ring, a sliding contact member for engaging with said contacts, means to tension said contact member and means to equalize the tension on said contact member, and means to insulate said contact member from its operating .mech-- .ringand said box, and cables connected to -sa1d terminal clips adapted to pass between said ring and said box to a centrally located exit.

27. Incombination, a control box, a plurality of spaced inwardly extending supporting members on the lnterlor thereof, an

insulating ring carried thereon spaced at intervals from said box, contact members thereon, terminal clips connected thereto ex tending into the spaces between said ring and said boX'and a centrally located contact member for engaging said contacts on said 7 ring whereby the cables connected to said terminals may be connectedbetween the ring and sand box 1n the spaces therebetween so that said terminal clips are protected and insulated.

In testnnony whereof, I affix my signature.

LOUIS R. RUTHENBURG, 

